00:00Growing up, Ji-yeon's world was nothing like the one most children experienced.
00:05From the tender age of five, when his father Sung-min decided he was to become something more,
00:11something else, he began an intense and isolating journey.
00:15Ji-yeon was raised in secret, molded and shaped into the daughter Sung-min had always desired.
00:21Sung-min, had fired every servant and worker in his household,
00:25leaving only a single woman as Ji-yeon's tutor.
00:28The tutor, a kind-hearted woman named Yoon-na, was sworn to silence.
00:34The house was quiet now, save for the strict lessons of singing, dancing, sewing, and playing the pipa.
00:41Ji-yeon was taught everything a noble daughter would be, though his heart never agreed with it.
00:47He wore dresses, soft silks that fluttered when he moved, and his long, blonde hair was braided into delicate styles.
00:53Outside of the house, he was never allowed to show his true identity.
00:59When Sung-min took him out, Ji-yeon was always dressed as a girl, his face painted to perfection,
01:05his voice sweetened with the grace of a young lady.
01:08No one knew the truth, no one knew that Sung-min had his son disguised as a daughter.
01:14Sung-min's strict rules were suffocating.
01:16Never let anyone see your true self, he would say, his cold voice never leaving room for negotiation.
01:24Ji-yeon's mother, Hai-rin, had watched helplessly as her son transformed into someone he wasn't meant to be.
01:31Her health was failing, and her attempts to talk sense into her husband were futile.
01:36She couldn't bear to watch Ji-yeon live a life he didn't choose.
01:40Why must you do this to him, Sung-min, she would ask, her voice filled with a desperate plea.
01:47But Sung-min remained unmoved, his mind set on an image of perfection that only he could see.
01:53Even when Hai-rin tried to reason with him, Sung-min would shut her down coldly,
01:58his heart hardened by years of pride and power.
02:01Even Dae-hyun, Sung-min's trusted confidant, had tried to intervene.
02:05Get another daughter if you must, he suggested, his voice filled with concern.
02:11But you can't make Ji-yeon something he's not.
02:15But Sung-min didn't listen.
02:17Hai-rim can't have more children.
02:20Also, I'm not interested in taking another wife.
02:24There isn't much time left for my plans to take hold and besides,
02:27once I manage to get Ji-yeon into the palace, I will immediately put my plans into action.
02:32His true identity won't be discovered by then.
02:37He was determined to have a daughter step into the royal house,
02:40and if Ji-yeon was to be the one to fulfill that role, so be it.
02:45At 12 years old, Ji-yeon was a reflection of his father's will.
02:49His body had started to grow, and with it, the realization that he was no longer a child.
02:56He had only two companions, Dae-hyun's sons, Min-suk and Joon-ho.
03:00Min-suk, the older brother, was often stern but protective,
03:05training to become a skilled swordsman while Joon-ho, the younger one,
03:09was more carefree and kind-hearted, spending his time playing with kids and climbing trees.
03:15Ji-yeon and Joon-ho had become close friends,
03:18a bond forged in the quiet moments when they were alone,
03:21away from the watchful eyes of their parents.
03:24Ji-yeon couldn't help but feel something more for Joon-ho,
03:28something that went beyond friendship.
03:29He had slowly developed feelings for him, but he was terrified of ruining their bond.
03:36He couldn't even explain it to himself, let alone Joon-ho.
03:40Besides, he wasn't sure if this was his real feelings or the effect of acting as a girl for so long.
03:47On the rare occasions when Joon-ho and Min-suk stayed over,
03:51Ji-yeon would sneak out of his room, changing into boy's clothes.
03:54He and Joon-ho would sneak away, climbing the trees, laughing, and feeling a fleeting sense of freedom.
04:02One night, they were caught by Min-suk, who scolded them harshly but promised not to tell their parents.
04:09Don't do it again, he warned them, his tone firm.
04:12But Ji-yeon and Joon-ho didn't listen.
04:16They continued to sneak out, craving the simple joy of running in the open air.
04:21But then, one fateful day, Ji-yeon made a decision.
04:25He decided to step out in the day as a boy, just for a moment, to feel the wind on his face,
04:31to be free of the constraints his father had placed on him.
04:34It was a reckless choice, and as soon as he stepped out of the house, Sung-min found him.
04:40The punishment was swift and severe.
04:43Ji-yeon was dragged back to the house, his father's anger palpable in the air.
04:48For two days, he was locked away, starved, and beaten.
04:53His body was sore, but it was his heart that ached the most.
04:57After the punishment, he crawled to his mother's side, seeking comfort.
05:02Hai-rin, ever gentle, wrapped her arms around him.
05:06You are a boy, Ji-yeon, she whispered, her voice filled with love.
05:12Never forget that.
05:14Your father, he doesn't hate you.
05:16He just doesn't know how to love you the way you need.
05:20But Ji-yeon wasn't so sure.
05:22How could he believe it when Sung-min's actions spoke louder than his words?
05:27Days later, Hai-rin finally succumbed to her illness and passed away.
05:32The pain was unbearable for Ji-yeon.
05:35At her funeral, he couldn't contain his grief, his heart breaking into pieces.
05:40What hurt the most was how cold his father seemed.
05:44He buried himself in his chambers, going about his work as if nothing happened.
05:49Ji-yeon didn't even see him shed a single tear.
05:52But that night, desperate to escape his father's control, he dressed as a boy once again and ran away.
05:59It was in the quiet streets of the town that he bumped into someone coming from the opposite direction.
06:05Thankfully, both of them weren't hurt and just as he was adjusting his clothes, he heard a gentle voice whisper.
06:11Are you alright?
06:13Then he looked at the person and saw him, a boy about his age, with curly black hair and a mischievous grin.
06:20Ji-yeon was struck by how handsome he was, his heart skipping a beat.
06:24In that moment, he had no idea that he was meeting the person who was going to change his life forever.
06:30Thanks for watching.
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